This Kleinbasel festival takes place in January on the north bank of the Rhine and marks the beginning of the carnival season. The “Vogel Gryff” (griffin), the “Leu” (lion) and “dr Wild Maa” (the wild man) are the heraldic figures of the three honorary societies of Kleinbasel. At around 10.30 am, “dr Wild Maa” boards a raft and pays homage to Kleinbasel with a special dance as he travels along the Rhine. Underneath the Middle Bridge, he meets the “Vogel Gryff” and the “Leu”. The three heraldic figures then parade through the streets of Kleinbasel, stopping again and again to perform their dances. The ritual originates from the military weapons muster and has been performed in this form since 1838. 

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